Leicester Cathedral - Choral Scholarships at Leicester Cathedral

Choral Scholarships at Leicester Cathedral

You get a choral scholarship of £1,000 per year (about 1,150 EUR) as a singer with the Leicester Cathedral Choir. The award runs for 1 year at first. It is usually extended for a further 2 years, so up to 3 years in total, if the Director of Music reports that things are going well and you want to continue. Three scholarships are given out each year. In return, you sing at rehearsals and services during term. Male scholars sing on Thursday evenings, at Friday rehearsals and at both Sunday services. Female scholars sing on alternate Mondays or Thursdays, plus the same Friday and Sunday commitments. A term schedule may add occasional extra services and concerts, and you may get the chance to join the cathedral's singing projects in local schools. If you live in a hall of residence and would face extra charges over the vacation, the cathedral may help arrange other accommodation.

Who can apply

• University: You are a University of Leicester student, either an undergraduate or a postgraduate.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Voice: Priority goes to alto (male or female), tenor and bass singers. If no suitable candidate fits those parts, a soprano may be chosen.
• Choir experience: You have sung in choirs before. Church or cathedral choir experience helps, but strong sight-reading matters more, meaning you can sing music at first sight.
• Nationality: All nationalities welcome.

How to apply

Contact the cathedral's Director of Music as early as possible, ideally before you start at the university, and complete the application form from the cathedral website. You must audition, and this can often be arranged to coincide with a university Open Day. The deadline is 30 September.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is cut narrowly. You must study at the University of Leicester, sing well enough to sight-read, and commit to several rehearsals and services every week, so few applicants qualify. With only three places a year, the audition is the real filter. If you are a confident choral singer, especially in the priority voice parts, and you contact the Director of Music early, your prospects are good.